Why blog? Blogging can help you build your presence in the professional community, grow your expertise on topics of professional and personal interest, expand your career options, develop professional connections, and satisfy your creative spirit. Our three panelists will share their blogging journey and what they’ve learned along the way. Whether you’ve never written a blog post before or you’re a seasoned blogger, this program will provide insight and inspiration from three very different perspectives.

Marie has been blogging since 2000. She authored a personal blog for 8 years, sharing the funny side of life for a working mom living in suburbia. In 2006 she took her blogging skills to work and started the Government Info Pro blog as a resource for government librarians. Recently, she took her blogging skills to a whole new place – an author blog: Make Mine Paranormal. Writing under her maiden name, Marie Michelle Coleman, Marie recently released the first book in a paranormal romance/urban fantasy series – Bespoken. Her blog serves as part of her author platform. Marie will be presenting on workplace blogging and the strategic use of your blogging experience.

Aileen has been blogging since 2010, about a year after she started Library School. Blogging about traditional librarianship at first, she branched out when she discovered her passion for non-traditional librarianship. About four months ago, she re-designed and transitioned her blog Picturesque to reflect her personal writing: She is currently working on her first Science Fiction novel and shares experiences about writing and editing a story/manuscript, among other things. She also just started a new blog called A Journey Towards Health And Beauty, which chronicles her experiences switching to cruelty-free, organic and mostly vegan personal care and other products as well as lifestyle changes. Aileen will be presenting on the challenges of finding your own voice and branding your blog.

Christian has been blogging for six years. She is the author of two personal blogs: Silver Blades & Pink Slippers shares her experience as an adult figure skater, and Climbing the Stacks chronicles her adventures in the world of librarianship. Christian will be presenting on utilizing blogging as a student and new librarian, and finding the balance in sharing your personal and professional life online.